U.S. patent application number 12/317060 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for energy storage means holding device having covered charging contacts and a housing module.
This patent application is currently assigned to Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Uwe Rass, Joseph Sauer, Benjamin Schmidt, Christian Schmitt.
Application Number | 20090161898 12/317060 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40381051 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090161898 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rass; Uwe ; et al. |
June 25, 2009 |
Energy storage means holding device having covered charging
contacts and a housing module
Abstract
An energy storage means holding device and an associated housing
module for a hearing device are provided. The holding device
includes a holding module and a contact arranged in the holding
module for connection to an energy charging device. A gripping is
embodied in the holding module and cover the contact such that the
contact can be contacted outside but cannot however be reached by
human fingers when inserting the holding device into a housing
module of the hearing device.
Inventors: |
Rass; Uwe; (Nurnberg,
DE) ; Sauer; Joseph; (Strullendorf, DE) ;
Schmidt; Benjamin; (Nurnberg, DE) ; Schmitt;
Christian; (Grossenseebach, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIEMENS CORPORATION;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
170 WOOD AVENUE SOUTH
ISELIN
NJ
08830
US
|
Assignee: |
Siemens Medical Instruments Pte.
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
40381051 |
Appl. No.: |
12/317060 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/323 ;
320/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0045 20130101;
H04R 25/556 20130101; H04R 25/602 20130101; H04R 2225/31
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/323 ;
320/107 |
International
Class: |
H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00; H02J 7/00 20060101 H02J007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 061 591.6 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A holding device for an energy storage device of a hearing
device, comprising: a holding module; a contact element arranged in
the holding module for connection to an energy charging device; a
plurality of gripping elements arranged in the holding module,
wherein the gripping elements cover the contact element such that
when inserting the holding device into a housing module of the
hearing device, the contact element is accessible for connection to
the energy charging device from the outside without being reachable
by human fingers.
12. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding
device is a battery charger for receiving a rechargeable
battery.
13. The holding device as claimed in claim or 2, wherein the
holding module includes a cover that includes the gripping element,
and wherein a side of the cover which faces outwards, excluding the
gripping elements, passing continuously into the surface of the
housing module when the holding device is inserted into the housing
module.
14. The holding device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cover is
arched outwards.
15. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping
elements are toric.
16. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping
elements are arched upwards.
17. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping
elements are arranged symmetrically.
18. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two gripping
elements include a first gripping element and a second gripping
element, wherein a contact element is arrange below the first
gripping element and two contact elements are arranged below the
second gripping element.
19. The holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact
element is integrated in the surface of the holding module.
20. A housing module for receiving a holding device of a hearing
device, the holding device having a contact element arranged in the
holding module for connection to an energy charging device,
comprising: a recess for receiving the holding device, wherein when
inserting the holding device into a housing module of the hearing
device the contact element is accessible for connection to the
energy charging device from the outside without being reachable by
human fingers and the recess is below the gripping elements after
the insertion.
21. The housing module as claimed in claim 20, wherein the housing
module is a front plate with two recesses, with each of the
recesses continuing up to the edge of the front plate.
22. A hearing device, comprising: a holding device for an energy
storage device of a hearing device, the holding device comprising:
a holding module, a contact element arranged in the holding module
for connection to an energy charging device, and a plurality of
gripping elements arranged in the holding module; a housing module
comprising a plurality of recesses arranged below the gripping
elements of the holding device when the holding device is inserted
into the housing module, wherein the gripping elements cover the
contact element such that when inserting the holding device into a
housing module of the hearing device, the contact element is
associable for connection to the energy charging device from the
outside without being reached by human fingers.
23. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the holding
device is a battery charger for receiving a rechargeable
battery.
24. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the holding
module includes a cover that includes the gripping element, wherein
a side of the cover which faces outwards, excluding the gripping
elements, passing continuously into the surface of the housing
module when the holding device is inserted into the housing
module.
25. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cover is
arched outwards.
26. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cover is
arched outwards.
27. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the gripping
elements are toric.
28. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the gripping
elements are arched upwards.
29. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the gripping
elements are arranged symmetrically.
30. The hearing device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the contact
element is integrated in the surface of the holding module.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of German application No.
10 2007 061 591.6 filed Dec. 20, 2007, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to an energy storage means holding
device as and having contact means arranged in a holding module as
well as a housing module.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] For operational purposes, hearing devices require an energy
source to supply the electrical components. Hearing devices are
thus generally provided with batteries as energy storage means. To
avoid a time-consuming and costly exchange of the batteries,
rechargeable batteries, so-called accumulators, are frequently
used. In order to charge the accumulators, these must either be
removed from the hearing device and connected to a battery charging
station, or, in an installed state, they can be charged inductively
or galvanically by way of coils or contacts.
[0004] Patent specification DE 10 2005 060 977 A1 discloses the
need for a terminal on the exterior of a hearing device in order to
charge a battery in the case of a hearing device of the so-called
touch-type. As the terminal may corrode as a result of water, a
non-touch type is preferably used, in other words inductive
recharging.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The disadvantage of inductive charging is on the one hand
the coils needed in the hearing device, which cause space problems
particularly in the case of in-the-ear hearing devices, and on the
other hand, the restricted power transmission, so that a complete
recharging process can last a long time.
[0006] It is thus the object of the invention to overcome these
disadvantages and to specify a device, which on the one hand allows
a rapid charging of an energy storage means, in particular a
battery, and on the other hand prevents corrosion of freely
arranged contacts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In accordance with the invention, the set object is achieved
with the devices of the independent claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the invention, the device includes an
energy storage means holding device for a hearing device. It
includes a holding module and at least one contact means arranged
in the holding module for connection to an energy charging device.
Gripping elements which cover the contact means are embodied in the
holding module, such that when the holding device is inserted into
a housing module of the hearing device, the contact means can be
contacted from the outside but cannot however be reached by human
fingers.
[0009] This is advantageous in that the contact means are protected
against corrosion as a result of humidity due to contact by fingers
and are not visible from the outside when the hearing device is
inserted in the auditory canal.
[0010] In one development, the holding device can be a battery
charger for receiving a rechargeable battery.
[0011] As a result, accumulators can be used in hearing
devices.
[0012] In a further embodiment, the holding module can include a
cover including the gripping elements, with the side of the cover
facing outwards, excluding the gripping elements, passing
continuously into the surface of the housing module when the
holding device is inserted into the housing module.
[0013] The smooth surface is advantageous here in that it prevents
dirt from settling.
[0014] In one development, the cover can be arched outwards.
[0015] As a result, a battery charging device can be connected more
easily.
[0016] In a further embodiment, the gripping elements can be
embodied so as to be toric and/or arched upwards and can be
arranged symmetrically.
[0017] This is advantageous in that the holding device is able to
grip easily and reliably.
[0018] In one development, the two gripping elements are embodied
such that a contact means is arranged under the one gripping
element and two contact means are arranged under the other gripping
element.
[0019] This is advantageous in that polarity reversal cannot result
when connecting a battery charging device.
[0020] In a further embodiment, the contact means can be integrated
in the surface of the holding module.
[0021] As a result, the contact means are fixedly positioned in the
holding module and can end in a planar fashion with the surface of
the holding module.
[0022] A housing module for accommodating an inventive holding
device is also specified, with which the housing module has
recesses below the gripping elements and at least in the region of
the contact means.
[0023] This is advantageous in that the contact means can be
reached from the outside with contact devices but cannot be touched
by the fingers of an operator or hearing device wearer.
[0024] In one development, the housing module can have a front
plate with two recesses, with the recesses continuing to the edge
of the front plate.
[0025] As a result, the contact elements can be reliably
contacted.
[0026] A hearing device with an inventive holding device and with
an inventive housing module is also specified.
[0027] Further details of the invention are apparent from the
descriptions which follow of an exemplary embodiment with reference
to schematic drawings, in which;
[0028] FIG. 1: shows a front plate with an energy storage means
holding device,
[0029] FIG. 2: shows a detailed view of a front plate with an
energy storage means holding device,
[0030] FIG. 3: shows a cross-sectional view of a front plate with
an energy storage means holding device,
[0031] FIG. 4: shows a further detailed view of a front plate with
an energy storage means holding device and
[0032] FIG. 5: shows a further cross-sectional view of a front
plate with an energy storage means holding device.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a front plate 4 as a
housing module of an in-the-ear hearing device (otherwise not
shown). An opening, in which a holding module 1 with two toric
grippers 3 is inserted as a gripping element, is located in the
front plate 4. The front plate 4 and the holding module 1 form a
unit in the inserted position, with the surfaces passing almost
seamlessly into one another, without grades and gaps. The central
region of the holding module 1 which is visible from the outside
and the central region of the front plate 4 are outwardly embossed
and/or mushroom-shaped for aesthetic reasons and to ensure easier
insertion into a charging device. Symmetrically arranged recesses 6
are apparent in the front plate 4. Contact means 2 are arranged
below the grippers 3, not visible from above.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a perspective detailed view of a front plate 4
with a holding module 1 inserted herein as seen in FIG. 1. The
upper part of the holding module 1 forms a cover 5, in which two
handles 3 are embodied symmetrically. A contact means 2 is visible
in the side wall of the holding module 1, said contact means being
embedded in the surface of the holding module 1. The contact means
2 is arranged symmetrically to the boundary of the holding module
1. It can however assume any position, provided it can be contacted
from the outside by way of contacts. In order to be able to
actually reach the contact means 2, a recess 6 is embodied in the
front plate 4. The recess 6, a depression in the front plate 4,
ends inside with the opening for the holding module 1 and has a
width which corresponds to the width of the handle 3 and/or which
corresponds to the width of the holding module 1. The recess 6 has
a thickness, which is a function of the size of the handle 3 as
well as a secure grip of the handle 3 by a hearing device wearer or
hearing device acoustician. The recess 6 is ideally so thick that
the users' fingers cannot reach the contact means 2. The recess 6
extends toward the edge of the front plate 4 for primarily
aesthetic reasons.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the front plate 4 from FIG.
1 along the connection A A'. The contact means 2 of the holding
module 1 is clearly apparent. The contact means 2 is protected by
the handle 3 of the cover 5 of the holding module 1 from contact
from a human finger. The front plate 4 with its recess 6 uncovers
so much of the surface of the contact means 2 that a battery
charging device can be reliably connected for instance.
[0036] Like FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a front plate 4
with an inserted housing module 1. In contrast to FIG. 2, two
contact means 2 are however integrated in the holding module 1 in
FIG. 4. A battery in the holding module 1 can be charged by way of
the contact means 2 and/or the battery voltage can be measured.
Another layer of the contact means 2 which is opposite to FIG. 2
prevents reverse polarity during the charging process. The cover 5
of the holding module 1 is in turn outwardly arched and passes
continuously into the front plate 4.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view similar to that in FIG. 3. The
sectional view through a front plate 4 according to FIG. 4 is such
that the contact means 2 and the handle 3 can be easily seen. In
contrast to FIG. 3, in FIG. 5 two contact elements 2 are integrated
below the handle 3 of the cover 5 in the holding module.
[0038] Instead of a battery, another energy storage means, for
instance a fuel cell, can be used in further embodiments.
* * * * *